Digital scopes ... Anyone?
- Thread starter kimberkid
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Just got my new scope and was wondering the same thing. Seems computers and lasers will be added to gyros and we can hunt and fight and win tournaments from the comfort of home. I was reading about a scope that had [to me] phenomenal abilities to compute dope. If I recall, once target was acquired, the scope allowed the shot. I'm sure there are many here who know about this much more than I.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
The ATN to which you refer is an X-Sight. They now have out the X-Sight HD. These are Day/Night scopes with night capabilities comparable to Gen I+ or so and that means you need a good IR illuminator with it. The ATNs have been plagued with problems and the original X-sight scopes do not actually do all that they are advertised to do. Can't imagine the new HD versions are fully right either.
Pulsar, Sightmark, and Armasight all have digital offerings as well. I used a Pulsar N550 and then N750 for a couple of years of night hunting before graduating to thermal. With a good IR illuminator, they were functional out to 200 yards or thereabouts, more than enough for most hunters at night. The nice thing is that they work in the day time as well without concern of burning out the scope as would happen with actual/traditional NV.
I have also owned a Sightmark Photon II and hunted with an Armasight Drone Pro. The Drone Pro was probably the nicest offering 2 years ago, but was also overly expensive. The X-sight and Photon are down around the $500 range. The Pulsars are more expensive and the Drone Pro even more expensive.
Pulsar, Sightmark, and Armasight all have digital offerings as well. I used a Pulsar N550 and then N750 for a couple of years of night hunting before graduating to thermal. With a good IR illuminator, they were functional out to 200 yards or thereabouts, more than enough for most hunters at night. The nice thing is that they work in the day time as well without concern of burning out the scope as would happen with actual/traditional NV.
I have also owned a Sightmark Photon II and hunted with an Armasight Drone Pro. The Drone Pro was probably the nicest offering 2 years ago, but was also overly expensive. The X-sight and Photon are down around the $500 range. The Pulsars are more expensive and the Drone Pro even more expensive.
I've had the X-Sight II HD 5-20x on order since March 16th - don't know when they'll get my shipment in (Optics Planet).
I've been waiting for technology to bring NV prices / features to a reasonable level.
Did quite a bit of research before taking the plunge - not many folks have their hands on them - all the videos I could find for the new models are from Europe and Austrailia. Seems those folks have been big into NV for quite a while, as they've been using NV for years to eliminate pests & predators.
All reports seem to be good - many problems with the current models have been eliminated with software updates, and all the reviews I could find from folks in Europe seem to give it a thumbs up.
I started a thread in here a while back looking for info on good IR lights.
I've now got everything I need except the darn scope. When I ordered they said expected delivery in 2 to 9 days, but it's now been over 5 weeks.
I see they show expected delivery for new orders is now 4 to 11 days (went back up to 22 to 29 days right after I ordered mine).
I got the ATN IR850 Pro Illuminator (it's a rebadged Night Master) and a replacement drop in pill from the UK.
Here's just one of many videos covering the scope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0V5QfDB4uQ
Note that the one in the video may be model 1.5? It looks like his front focus is a ring - the ones shown at ATN's site have a front focus turret instead of a ring. The ring was a bit cumbersome to reach if you have an IR Illuminator attached to the scope, so one of the improvements they made was a focusing turret on the front for ease of use.
I just got my 2nd Savage MK II FV-SR ($25 rebates on them) and installed a Boyd's Pro Varmint Hunter stock with a bipod. The ATN sight is going on it - going to make it my night varmint gun.
I've been waiting for technology to bring NV prices / features to a reasonable level.
Did quite a bit of research before taking the plunge - not many folks have their hands on them - all the videos I could find for the new models are from Europe and Austrailia. Seems those folks have been big into NV for quite a while, as they've been using NV for years to eliminate pests & predators.
All reports seem to be good - many problems with the current models have been eliminated with software updates, and all the reviews I could find from folks in Europe seem to give it a thumbs up.
I started a thread in here a while back looking for info on good IR lights.
I've now got everything I need except the darn scope. When I ordered they said expected delivery in 2 to 9 days, but it's now been over 5 weeks.
I see they show expected delivery for new orders is now 4 to 11 days (went back up to 22 to 29 days right after I ordered mine).
I got the ATN IR850 Pro Illuminator (it's a rebadged Night Master) and a replacement drop in pill from the UK.
Here's just one of many videos covering the scope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0V5QfDB4uQ
Note that the one in the video may be model 1.5? It looks like his front focus is a ring - the ones shown at ATN's site have a front focus turret instead of a ring. The ring was a bit cumbersome to reach if you have an IR Illuminator attached to the scope, so one of the improvements they made was a focusing turret on the front for ease of use.
I just got my 2nd Savage MK II FV-SR ($25 rebates on them) and installed a Boyd's Pro Varmint Hunter stock with a bipod. The ATN sight is going on it - going to make it my night varmint gun.
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Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
You know, the thing that bothers me (a lot) about the ATN X-Sight HD videos is that they ALL show the jittery shakiness as seen in the video above. It is like as the person moves the scope, the image jumps from pixel to pixel.
Zooming the image magnifies the effect...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAJ9hrRqyzI
With that said, it is a <$600 scope. Assuming it works otherwise for your needs, this may be a minor aesthetic issue is all.
Zooming the image magnifies the effect...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAJ9hrRqyzI
With that said, it is a <$600 scope. Assuming it works otherwise for your needs, this may be a minor aesthetic issue is all.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
No interest what so ever.
I am a firm believer in the K.I.S.S. Principal.
And especially in Murphy's Law.
If there is ever a time when a battery operated sight will fail?
It will always be when your life (or the trophy of a lifetime) depends on it!!
rc
I am a firm believer in the K.I.S.S. Principal.
And especially in Murphy's Law.
If there is ever a time when a battery operated sight will fail?
It will always be when your life (or the trophy of a lifetime) depends on it!!
rc
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Well, you are right. It isn't for you. Nothing wrong with that. We all make the choices we like for our situations and have our reasons for them.
With that said, it is a lot more simple to hunt at night with NV or thermal than without.
With that said, it is a lot more simple to hunt at night with NV or thermal than without.
ROAshooter
member
I am on board with rcmodel on this one.....
OP
OP
kimberkid
Member
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- Feb 5, 2010
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- 1,654
My firearms either have a scope or irons and other than a few suppressors, that's it. In nearly 60 years I've never needed lights or lasers and other crap that just adds weight and empty's my wallet. Just what I need ... but I also like technology.
I've never been in the situation where my life would depend on it, but I wouldn't put something like that on my "go-to gun" or if something of significance were on the line so to speak.
I'm not even interested in its "one-shot" zero feature; I already know how to zero a scope. As a "toy", for its technology it has my attention. I'd use it for fun, for coyotes, prairie dogs & such and lastly I don't have anything with night vision ... so that might be fun to play with too BUT if I need accuracy, I wouldn't depend on an AR with a toy for the sighting system or even a piston system, I'd go with what I know works and has the least possibility of failure ... I have a couple very accurate AR's but its a good chance that if I needed accuracy, I'd grab my Remmy.
minutemen1776
Member
I guess you can't really expect the fuds to be too excited about a digital scope. 
Seriously, I think there's just not that many of us who have a need to shoot at night, so these are mostly seen as expensive playthings. I realize they are not to those who need the technology, and I'm also not aware of any that can function without a power source.
Seriously, I think there's just not that many of us who have a need to shoot at night, so these are mostly seen as expensive playthings. I realize they are not to those who need the technology, and I'm also not aware of any that can function without a power source.I knew it was probably going to be a while
It's been a while since I placed my order (March 16th) so I called Optics Planet today to see where I stand in the queue - I was told:
1. They have another shipment of the new ATN's due to arrive May 1st (date approximate).
2. I am #60 in the queue, but they have over 60 scheduled to arrive, so I should get mine with their next shipment.
This assumes they get the number of scopes they have scheduled to arrive.
It's been a while since I placed my order (March 16th) so I called Optics Planet today to see where I stand in the queue - I was told:
1. They have another shipment of the new ATN's due to arrive May 1st (date approximate).
2. I am #60 in the queue, but they have over 60 scheduled to arrive, so I should get mine with their next shipment.
This assumes they get the number of scopes they have scheduled to arrive.
hoghunting
Member
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2006
- Messages
- 1,604
If you look at Double Naught Spy's post he has a link to his videos and you will see why he uses night vision. I'm sure the ranchers where he hunts are very grateful he has night vision. You may not have hog problems in your area, but once you've seen their destruction, you will appreciate night vision on a rifle.
One of the reasons I'm throwing this rig together is I often shoot at a friend's farm, and we'll probably use it to knock off a few farm pests at night.
No telling what he has on the farm - I know he's killed coyotes, has seen bears, and we've made a serious dent in the muskrat population in his pond (they were working on his dam). No doubt he's got wild hogs in the area also - don't know if he hasn't mentioned them or just has not seen them.
I may often leave my NV setup with him to employ as a working gun (no toy for a farmer).
I turned him on to the S&W 15-22 a few years ago - he ended up buy his wife one, and she's had a ball working over the muskrats. She's a new shooter, and now she wants to go hunting for something bigger!
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Or even flashlights that don't use batteries. Owning the night does not come with iron sights and a rag wrapped stick dipped in tar and set ablaze to make a torch. Funny how batteries become KISS when you hunt at night.
Just got an e-mail from a friend that knows I'm putting together a NV rig.
He was just contacted by a farmer that lost 8 sheep to coyotes, and is looking for someone interested in a little pest control!
But...still waiting on the scope... :banghead:
He was just contacted by a farmer that lost 8 sheep to coyotes, and is looking for someone interested in a little pest control!
But...still waiting on the scope... :banghead:
Got my ATN X-Sight II HD today - cancelled my order with Optics Planet (been waiting over 6 weeks) as I got an e-mail from B&H Photo saying they had them in stock, so I got it from them.
At's a lot of technology for the price!
Just getting started with it - pretty confusing at first, but after you spend a little time with the online manual as you can play with the buttons, it's pretty intuitive.
Managed to get the WiFi hooked up to both my LG G4 phone and LG G Pad X 10.1 - it is a little easier to make adjustments from the tablet screen than on the scope menu.
Thought I was going to use my rechargeable Eneloops to play with / set up, but apparently it eats rechargeables! I don't think I got 30 minutes out of a set of fully charged Eneloop Pros (tried two sets) before breaking down and installing Eveready Ultimate Lithiums.
I had planed on using Ultimate Lithiums when using the scope in the field, but I was hoping to use the rechargeables while learning to use the scope and playing with it around the house.
Guess I'll play with the night vision tonight.
The learning curve continues...
At's a lot of technology for the price!
Just getting started with it - pretty confusing at first, but after you spend a little time with the online manual as you can play with the buttons, it's pretty intuitive.
Managed to get the WiFi hooked up to both my LG G4 phone and LG G Pad X 10.1 - it is a little easier to make adjustments from the tablet screen than on the scope menu.
Thought I was going to use my rechargeable Eneloops to play with / set up, but apparently it eats rechargeables! I don't think I got 30 minutes out of a set of fully charged Eneloop Pros (tried two sets) before breaking down and installing Eveready Ultimate Lithiums.
I had planed on using Ultimate Lithiums when using the scope in the field, but I was hoping to use the rechargeables while learning to use the scope and playing with it around the house.
Guess I'll play with the night vision tonight.
The learning curve continues...
atblis
Member
It'll happen some day. ATN has been rubbish in my experience, but I have no direct knowledge of that particular scope.
So many possible benefits, and the correct implementation will be amazing.
Programmable reticles. Combine that with a range finder and knowledge of the trajectory...
Night vision
No eye relief issues and should also be insensitive to eye position
I believe parallax is a non issue.
Take pictures, record videos.
Link up to a tablet/phone/laptop and live view
You can also process/enhance the image in it's digital form.
So many possible benefits, and the correct implementation will be amazing.
Programmable reticles. Combine that with a range finder and knowledge of the trajectory...
Night vision
No eye relief issues and should also be insensitive to eye position
I believe parallax is a non issue.
Take pictures, record videos.
Link up to a tablet/phone/laptop and live view
You can also process/enhance the image in it's digital form.
Still playing with it
Tried out the night vision last night - not too shabby for a first attempt but it was raining so I couldn't step outside and play with it much.
Even with the stock ATN IR850 PRO light it did a pretty darn good job of lighting up various items 100 yards from my bedroom window - I'm beginning to wonder if I really need the drop-in pill I ordered from the UK. I guess once I start stretching the distance out a bit, the higher output of the drop-in pill will be nice?
My IR850 PRO is supposed to have 3 power output, but darn if I could tell any difference going thru the clicks - may be because I was limited to close in testing last night.
I also see no difference in trying to focus the light with the head - again, maybe because I'm in so close?
Definitely have to turn the screen brightness waaaaay down at night - if you don't, you'll be completely night blind in one eye when you look away from the scope!
Guess I'll mount it to the gun today and try to zero it tonight using my laser boresighter - will tweak it when I can finally get it to the range.
Tried out the night vision last night - not too shabby for a first attempt but it was raining so I couldn't step outside and play with it much.
Even with the stock ATN IR850 PRO light it did a pretty darn good job of lighting up various items 100 yards from my bedroom window - I'm beginning to wonder if I really need the drop-in pill I ordered from the UK. I guess once I start stretching the distance out a bit, the higher output of the drop-in pill will be nice?
My IR850 PRO is supposed to have 3 power output, but darn if I could tell any difference going thru the clicks - may be because I was limited to close in testing last night.
I also see no difference in trying to focus the light with the head - again, maybe because I'm in so close?
Definitely have to turn the screen brightness waaaaay down at night - if you don't, you'll be completely night blind in one eye when you look away from the scope!
Guess I'll mount it to the gun today and try to zero it tonight using my laser boresighter - will tweak it when I can finally get it to the range.
ATN has just updated their X-Sight II HD page - they have added videos folks have taken with their sights and uploaded for viewing.
I'd note:
1. My IR850 PRO seems to put out much more, and more widely / evenly spread light than just about all the videos (reflecting more power and improvements in the IR light?).
2. Some of the videos have a flicker - that problem was taken care of quite a while back with a firmware update.
3. All(?) the videos were taken with units older than the just released X-Sight II HD, so I don't know how much better (if any) the picture may be with the newer scope.
4. I've only been able to play with mine in the city - going to take it out to the country this week so I can stretch the distances - I'm pretty much limited to 100 yards or so hanging out my bedroom window.
ATN Smart HD Channel
http://www.atncorp.com/channel/video/92
I'd note:
1. My IR850 PRO seems to put out much more, and more widely / evenly spread light than just about all the videos (reflecting more power and improvements in the IR light?).
2. Some of the videos have a flicker - that problem was taken care of quite a while back with a firmware update.
3. All(?) the videos were taken with units older than the just released X-Sight II HD, so I don't know how much better (if any) the picture may be with the newer scope.
4. I've only been able to play with mine in the city - going to take it out to the country this week so I can stretch the distances - I'm pretty much limited to 100 yards or so hanging out my bedroom window.
ATN Smart HD Channel
http://www.atncorp.com/channel/video/92
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Those are old vids, mostly NOT the HDII
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I see some folks have been modifying their scopes by drilling a hole in a Butler Creek objective cover and covering the ATN's objective with it, which functions like increasing the F-stop (numerically) on a camera lens, thus increasing depth of field.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZd57CqfLl8
Unfortunatly, Butler Creek does not make an objective cover big enough to fit the end of the new X-Sight II HD, which appears to have a 2 5/8" (66.675mm) diameter OD objective.
Fortunately, ATN seems to have been watching what folks were doing - my sight came with both a screw-on sunshade and a screw-on objective cover (with center hole) which can be used with or without the sunshade.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZd57CqfLl8
Unfortunatly, Butler Creek does not make an objective cover big enough to fit the end of the new X-Sight II HD, which appears to have a 2 5/8" (66.675mm) diameter OD objective.
Fortunately, ATN seems to have been watching what folks were doing - my sight came with both a screw-on sunshade and a screw-on objective cover (with center hole) which can be used with or without the sunshade.
Finally hauled my new ATN X-Sight II HD 5-20x out to the boondocks last night.
I've got a friend that's getting into night predator hunting (farmers in his area are begging for help with coyotes taking their sheep) so he hauled me around numerous farms so we could test the sight.
He was just blown away with the distance and clarity at night - I was also pretty damn impressed, although I let him play with it about the entire time.
Depth of field is pretty darn short, but from what I understand, that may be a limitation on all NV equipment?
I'd note that we were using ATN's IR850PRO light, which appears to be a rebadged Nightmaster, but with a nicer mount / adjusting system than any I've seen.
I had to drop back to the IR light that came with the scope as in the city, I have only about 100 yards to play with. The IR850PRO was hard to play with in the city due to the short distances, but we gave it a workout in some huge fields last night.
ATN lists the IR850 PRO's range at 300 meters, but my friend was telling me distances to various objects at his stomping grounds, and said he could take a night shot at well over 300 yards with the IR850 PRO.
I actually have a drop-in pill I ordered from the UK, but darn if I know when / if I'll get around to installing it based on what we saw last night!
BTW - the clarity and even spread of light in the viewfinder appear better than 99.9% of all the uploaded videos I've checkout out at ATN and YouTube, but I realize with this being a new scope and light, videos are currently hard to come by.
Needless to say, my friend is now in the market for one of the scopes.
I've got a friend that's getting into night predator hunting (farmers in his area are begging for help with coyotes taking their sheep) so he hauled me around numerous farms so we could test the sight.
He was just blown away with the distance and clarity at night - I was also pretty damn impressed, although I let him play with it about the entire time.
Depth of field is pretty darn short, but from what I understand, that may be a limitation on all NV equipment?
I'd note that we were using ATN's IR850PRO light, which appears to be a rebadged Nightmaster, but with a nicer mount / adjusting system than any I've seen.
I had to drop back to the IR light that came with the scope as in the city, I have only about 100 yards to play with. The IR850PRO was hard to play with in the city due to the short distances, but we gave it a workout in some huge fields last night.
ATN lists the IR850 PRO's range at 300 meters, but my friend was telling me distances to various objects at his stomping grounds, and said he could take a night shot at well over 300 yards with the IR850 PRO.
I actually have a drop-in pill I ordered from the UK, but darn if I know when / if I'll get around to installing it based on what we saw last night!
BTW - the clarity and even spread of light in the viewfinder appear better than 99.9% of all the uploaded videos I've checkout out at ATN and YouTube, but I realize with this being a new scope and light, videos are currently hard to come by.
Needless to say, my friend is now in the market for one of the scopes.
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